Ear-muff



(No Model.)

O. G. SHELBY.

EAR MUFF.

No. 346,175. Patented July 27, 1886.

WITIVESS ESM/ NVENTOH L 'i C1 1 WWW 0'3 N. PETERS. Phulvlilhugnpher. Wahinglon. o. c.

ilNrTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTOPHER C. SHELBY, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y., 'ASSIGNOR TO'TIIE CANFIELD RUBBER COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

EAR-MUFF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,175, dated July 27, 1886.

Application filed February G, 1886. Serial No. 101,031. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER G. SHELBY, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Muffs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in ear-muffs.

Hitherto it has been customary to construct an ear-mufi having a stiff wire frame surrounding the opening, which receives the ear or partially surrounding the same, an an elastic cord has been employed to connect the lower ends of the muffs beneath the chin. Rubber elastic has also been employed to make the muff hug the ear. The use of a stiff wire has been found objectionable on account of its stiffness, and its liability to chafe the ear and produce annoyance, and the iron wire commonly employed has been liable to rust, on account of which retailers have refused to lay in a full stock. The use of rubber elastic is also objectionable, as it soon rots or becomes impaired by moisture, and when used to surround the car it has a tendency to draw and stop the circulation.

The object of my present invention is to provide an ear-muff which shall possess the advantages of both the elastic and metallic frames, and which shall be free from their objectionablc features.

\Vith these ends in view my invention con sists in a pocket adapted to fit the ear, and provided with a non-rusting elastic metallic band around the opening to receive the car.

My invention further consists in an ear-muff having an opening to assist in hearing and adjustable to the car without the use of a chinelastic.

My invention further consists in certain features of construction and combinations of 45 parts, as will be hereinafter described, and

pointed out in the claims.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the'ear-muff, showing the position of the metallic elastic in dotted lines, and 50 showing the opening to assist in hearing. Fig.

2 is a detached view of the metallic elastic band.

A represents the ear-shaped pocket formed of any suitable materialvelvet, for exampleand lined with some soft material, which will be agreeable, and furnish warmth when in contact with the ear.

B represents the opening through which the ear is received into the pocket. The opening 13 is surrounded by the metallic elastic band C, shielded from contact with the ear, and held in position by turning the edge of the fabric over it and stitching itdown, or by sewing a facing over it.

The metallic elastic band C, which is an inr portant feature in my present improvement, consists of a fine spiral spring, formed of a metal which will not be liable to seriously rust when exposed to moisture or for a long time to the air. Brass is the metal preferred, on account of its elasticity, its cheapness, and the convenience with which it may be worked.

The band C is of such a length,wheu it rests free from tension, that it will just about extend around the funnel or bell of the ear atits 5 junction with the head. The fabric of which the pocket of the muff is made'is somewhat elastic, and may, if so desired, be made slight- 1y gathered about the opening 13. This, in connection with the elasticity of the band C, will admit of the muff being readily adjusted, but,when on,the band C will cease to drawras soon as the border of the opening B comes in contact with the ear.

The opening to assist in hearing consists of 8 5 an eyelet, D, secured in the muff at about its central portion. This form of opening is pre ferred on account of its cheapness and the readiness with which it may be inserted, and its protection against the fraying out of the 0 fabric.

The muff, constructed as above described, will yield to the ear, last in stock for any length of time without becoming impaired, will hold to its adjustment on the ear, and is light and durable.

It is evident that other shapes of openings than round might be made to assist in hearing, and that other constructions of frame about the said opening might be employed, and that no other slight changes might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r 1. An ear-muff consisting of a flexible pocket adapted to fit the ear, and provided with a spiral spring surrounding the opening for the entrance of the ear, substantially as set forth.

2. An ear-muff consisting of a flexible pocket adapted to receive the ear, a spiral spring around the opening for the entrance of the ear, I 5 and an opening in the outer side of the pocket to assist in hearing,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHRISTOPHER O. SHELBY.

Witnesses:

RATOLIFFE HICKS, S. VAN ZANDT. 

